Craftsy Classes for $19.99!

Over the weekend Craftsy was running a sale on classes, but the storms on the East Coast knocked out their servers. So they decided to extend the sale for one more day, meaning you can get a great deal on knitting classes (or any other crafty classes you might want to take) if you buy before midnight tonight.

All classes are just $19.99, down from the usual $39.99 (at least all the knitting classes are usually $39.99; prices usually range from $9.99 to $49.99, depending on the class).

In the knitting category there are now 20 classes, everything from toy knitting with Susan B. Anderson to fitting your knits with Stefanie Japel. There are classes on toe-up and cuff-down socks from Donna Druchunas, a class on plus-size knitting with Marly Bird and classes on short rows, lace knitting and entrelac, to name a few.

I have started but not finished a couple of classes on Craftsy (Japel’s “Fit Your Knits” and “How to Say it: Pattern Writing for Knitters” with Edie Eckman) and I find them to be really interesting and the video is a good format for visual things like knitting. I’ve got my eye on a photography class for crafters, and there are also great classes for other crafts including sewing, crocheting, weaving, paper crafts and even cake decorating.

Have you ever taken a Craftsy class? What did you think? Spill it!

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns!

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil.

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn.

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point.

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up.

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.

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